We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Transport Mechanisms of Microfibers and Their Effects on Soil-Plant Systems
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the transport mechanisms by which microfibers move through soil and plant systems, summarizing evidence on root uptake, translocation to shoots, and the broader implications for food safety and agricultural sustainability.
Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a global environmental concern due to the uncertainties surrounding their occurrence, fate, and potential implications for environmental and human health. While research on the impact of MPs on aquatic systems is expanding, studies investigating their influence on terrestrial systems are limited. Agricultural soil acts as a dominant reservoir for MPs, with microfibers being a predominant form due to the application of organic amendments. Despite their ubiquity, the transport mechanisms of these particles and their effects on soil-plant systems remain largely unknown. This study addresses critical knowledge gaps by conducting a series of soil incubation experiments aimed at exploring the effects of polyester (PES) microfibers on soil quality and the growth of three common crops: lettuce, Chinese cabbage, and radish. Plants were cultivated in glass jars containing 100mg/kg fluorescent microfibers thoroughly mixed with the soil. Microfiber distribution was visualized using EVOS Auto FL 2. Soil endpoints revealed that the presence of microfibers induced significant alterations in soil bulk density, with minimal impact on soil carbon and nitrogen content across all plant treatments. Additionally, microfibers exerted a significant decrease in soil pH in lettuce-growing soil, while exhibiting a marginal pH increase in cabbage-growing and radish-growing soils. Microfibers were also found to diminish the formation of water-stable aggregates, particularly in the cabbage-growing soil. In terms of plant endpoints, the study observed accelerated germination of lettuce in the presence of microfibers, while the root length of radish was substantially affected. Microfibers led to a reduction in chlorophyll content in lettuce and cabbage leaves, whereas radish leaves exhibited an increase when exposed to microfibers. Microfibers were detected in both lettuce and radish roots and stems, and weak fluorescence was detected in lettuce leaves. Notably, the impact of microfibers varied among plant species, emphasizing the necessity for species-specific considerations. Furthermore, this study highlights the negative, positive, and neutral effects of microfibers on soil properties and plant performance and proves the potential uptake of microfibers by certain edible plants. The observed outcomes are attributed to the distinctive characteristics of fibers, including their unique shape, surface area, and flexibility, which may interact with soil particles and crops. Given the widespread distribution and accumulation of microfibers in agricultural soil, this study provides crucial insights for ecotoxicological assessments related to soil and terrestrial higher plants. It also holds implications for stakeholders in environmental pollution, food safety, and human health.
More Papers Like This
Uptake, transport and accumulation of micro- and nano-plastics in terrestrial plants and health risk associated with their transfer to food chain - A mini review.
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are taken up, transported, and accumulated in terrestrial plants, and assesses the associated health risks as MNPs transfer through the food chain from contaminated soil and water environments.
Novel staining–microscopy workflow visualizes microfibers in soil–plant systems: Implications for sustainable agriculture and food safety
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a novel staining and microscopy workflow using fluorescent dyes to visualize and track microfibers within soil-plant systems. The study found that microfibers from sewage sludge and laundry effluents can be adsorbed, accumulated, and taken up by crops under realistic cultivation conditions, with implications for sustainable agriculture and food safety.
Microplastics in Soil–Plant Systems: Current Knowledge, Research Gaps, and Future Directions for Agricultural Sustainability
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes current knowledge about how microplastics affect agricultural soils and the plants growing in them, including changes to soil structure, nutrient availability, and root zone biology. Understanding how microplastics move through the soil-plant system is critical because contaminated crops are a major pathway for these particles to reach the human diet.
Environmental fate and impacts of microplastics in soil ecosystems: Progress and perspective
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarized knowledge on microplastics in soil environments, covering occurrence across agricultural, industrial, and urban soils, transport pathways, and ecological risks to soil organisms and plant communities. The authors identify key data gaps and methodological challenges that currently limit understanding of microplastic fate and impact in terrestrial systems.
From Soil to Table: Pathways, Influencing Factors, and Human Health Risks of Micro- and Nanoplastic Uptake by Plants in Terrestrial Ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
This review traces the pathways by which micro- and nanoplastics move from soil into food crops in terrestrial ecosystems. Researchers found that plants absorb these particles through roots and atmospheric deposition, with adverse effects on plant growth and development, raising concerns about food chain contamination and human health risks from consuming affected crops.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.